Cooped up aggression?

[COChickieDoodle]

I have 5 hens. Due to the avian flu, I have moved them into a run rather than allowing them to free range during the day. Their new space is a small fraction of what they had before. Over the past couple of days I noticed the smallest (and lowest on the pecking order) hiding in the coop. With bird flu, I got concerned that she may be ill, but all physical signs seem normal. Today, I took away her hiding place (bad idea) and as soon as she came out all 4 others started chasing and pecking at her. Is this just normal hen behavior and I should leave it be, or should I consider moving the “runt” out of the main coop? I do have another coop I could use, it’s been in storage since we expanded our flock a year ago.

Looking forward to your thoughts!
Elle

 

[nuthatched]

How big is the run?

 

[Battlepants]

I'm curious on how big your coop and run is. And yea, with a larger area to roam, the picked-on chickens can simply avoid the bullies. Confined spaces don't really allow for this.

 

[3KillerBs]

How big is your coop and run? Do you have plenty of "clutter" to improve the quality of the space?

Can you show us photos?

 

[COChickieDoodle]

here’s the run, the coop is beyond it at the back of this photo. As far as “clutter” no, not much entertainment, which may be contributing. I do recall, now that it was mentioned, that there is a recommendation for space/hen. I’ll go find that and make sure we are in the ballpark. We are thinking this will be temporary, until the bird flu scare has settled. But after living through COVID, I’m taking nothing for granted. In the photo, you can see all the birds at the front right corner, for scale. I’d love some thoughts on what to give them to “play” with, besides my little red hen.

 

[Battlepants]

A popular piece of clutter that seems to work well with chickens is a lawnchair upside down - they can perch on the back piece or hide under it, and if you choose to go in there with them, just flip it upright and the seat is clean due to only the back and bottom being pooped on.

Other enrichment could include breaking branches off of local bushes and dropping those into the run - they will enjoy plucking the leaves off of the branches. Another possibility for your situation is potted plants on the outside perimeter - any leaves that peak through will become food/enjoyment for the chickens and it shouldn't hurt the plant too badly to lose just a few leaves.

 

[aart]

Put a bunch of stuff in there for them to climb on and under.
Here's some ideas:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[3KillerBs]

View attachment 3083499here’s the run, the coop is beyond it at the back of this photo. As far as “clutter” no, not much entertainment, which may be contributing. I do recall, now that it was mentioned, that there is a recommendation for space/hen. I’ll go find that and make sure we are in the ballpark. We are thinking this will be temporary, until the bird flu scare has settled. But after living through COVID, I’m taking nothing for granted. In the photo, you can see all the birds at the front right corner, for scale. I’d love some thoughts on what to give them to “play” with, besides my little red hen.

Here's some information for you:

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

5 hens is:

• 20 square feet in the coop
• 50 square feet in the run
• 5 linear feet of roost
• 2 nests
• And 5 square feet of ventilation.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

One particularly handy thing I give my birds are overturned plastic lawn chairs. They shelter the birds and give them something to sit on then I can turn them right side up and sit on a poop-free chair.

 

[COChickieDoodle]

Thank you all so much for your prompt and detailed responses. I’m going to try some “clutter” as we seem to have all the other requirements covered. My next question is, at what point do I consider secluding her? And, if I do this, is it permanent?
Thanks again!,